Blogging to keep track of my new life since retiring March of 2007. I'll include thoughts, travels, writings, pictures, family and whatever else strikes me.
I would love to hear from you regarding my Blog, trips, suggestions, "hi, how are you's",, etc. My email address is...judereed@earthlink.net

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

I'm still having flashes of "what was I thinking", particularly since we are still in triple digit temperatures. That being said, I am doing my best to get involved with the local community and take advantage of all SCW offers. I did join the Westernaires singing group and I am loving it. I had forgotten how wonderful it is to be surrounded by harmony. The group is very good and I am looking forward to the Christmas Concert. We are doing some lovely music. So fun. I have also signed up for beginning Spanish, a writing class and landscape painting. I'm doing a volunteer project at Church and continuing my phone calls for Obama. All this reaching out is not easy, but I'm determined to give Sun City West and Arizona a chance.

I have to admit I have been "Seattle Dreaming" since I've been home. I'm missing my Tribe, especially with this election looming. Also miss the water and trees and I guess, just the familiarity. It takes time to settle into a new life in a new place and I am definitely a "work in progress".

I have been watching, with great concern, the financial crisis our Country is in. I will suggest to anyone reading this....put your cash in a federally insured account. I moved my money market out of a money market mutual fund and into a bank money market account. With all my years in banking, greed does not surprise me, but where were the Regulators??? They are suppose to keep us honest and protect us from flim-flam. The proposed bailout by the government looks like the only reasonable choice if we want to avoid a complete meltdown that could look very much like another great depression. I'm most worried however, about the incredible deficit we face. Since the US is technically bankrupt, let us hope that China and others want to continue to buy our paper and keep us in operating mode. No matter what both candidates say, tax increases are inevitable.

The USA may be down but I believe we will recover and rise again. For me the best chance for leadership is Barack Obama. But what a mess he will walk into. Stay optimistic out there but wear a life preserver.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

I loved Show Low, AZ but the altitude created some breathing problems and a bit of vertigo for me. I stayed in the pool as much as possible....much softer landing when I fall over. I do love my water time.

Got Ms. Capri in good shape, checked out the area and finally decided it was time to go home. I was also motivated by an email invitation to the Obama AZ. Headquarters opening.

So off I went on Tuesday, Sept. 9th. Nice drive on Hiway 60. Got home about 7PM, unloaded the essentials and checked out the house. I'm pleased to say that all was in order. My house checkers did a great job of keeping things watered and cared for. So no unwanted surprises.

Yesterday I attended the Obama AZ event and signed up for phone and doorbelling work.Met some lovely people who are all excited about the coming election and "our" candidates. I'm going to work on the "Seniors for OBAMA" project. I now have my bumper stickers, signage and a tee-shirt "Women for OBAMA). Only a couple months to get the job done so I'm getting busy!

Today I finished unpacking Ms. Capri, sorting through the tons of mail, mostly junk and getting cable TV, and telephone back in service plus some new faucets put in.

I already have a busy week. I meet with the Westernaires Chorus tomorrow to see about joining. We'll see if this used and abused voice can contribute anything. Also time to see my great hair guy, Vittorio for a cut and more highlights. I have never colored my hair before this summer and now I'm hooked. Still no gray but some white zingers showing up.

It is wonderful being back in my home bed and stretching out to full capacity. The Valley heat and air quality are still not very user friendly to me but it is what it is and I understand it won't start cooling down until October. So maybe next year I will be gone from mid-May to Oct. 1st. Northwest sound best to me so far. Much as I loved all I saw and experienced this summer, it was way too much driving and too hot and humid for me. I turned 6200 miles when I pulled in my driveway. Needless to say, I'm road weary and physically tired. We'll see how fast I snap back this year.

Pictures show a happy water "baby" in Show Low and plants all in bloom at my AZ home.

I had a beautiful ride over the mountains to Arizona. I took some great pictures of the scenery and some unusual art pieces in a couple of small towns on the way. I decided to spend a few days at a nice RV park in Show Low, AZ., a beautiful spot in the White Mountains....where the temperatures are in the 80's. I though it made good sense to clean up and organize Ms. Capri in this nice cool weather. Sun City West is still in the 103-106 degree temps and I'd like to make my transition to my other life as pleasant as possible.

This morning I spent 90 minutes doing water aerobics with a lovely group of ladies at the RV park pool. Almost like being at home. Tonight I have been watching the Republican Convention, getting my first introduction to their VP candidate. She gave a strong speech. We will see how she wears in the coming months. It is certainly an historic campaign this year.....the first Republican VP nominee and the first African American Presidential Nominee. On that level......life is good.

After nearly 6,000 miles I finally had a problem with Ms. Capri. We blew a tire on Hiway 40 in New Mexico. Fortunately, I have the Good Sam Service Plan and even on Labor Day they found someone to come out and brought me a new wheel and tire. However, it took a few hours of feeling the force of the 18 wheelers whipping along by me so when I was rolling again I took Hiway 25 South to Soccoro, NM to spend the night. Next day I headed over the Mountains on Hiway 60 to Arizona. More to come...

Monday, September 1, 2008

So, after obsessing over the weather channel and the local news reports, I decided to head home. I left Florida Thursday and have been driving all day, every day through wind, rain, thunder and lightning and am now in New Mexico. I wondered if I would ever get through Texas....that is one huge land mass. Along the way I met several families from the Gulf Coast who had left their homes and were hoping for the best with no idea what the future would bring. They had all been through the Katrina disaster in varying degrees and were not eager to repeat the experience. My heart went out to them.

I am exhausted and emotionally depleated but happy to be back in the West. Up until Fay started messing with my plans and my mind, my trip was wonderful. When things started falling apart I realized I am not made of the sturdy stock of the people of the Gulf Coast. I don't know how they manage the level of anxiety the news media and Mother Nature create.

So far my friend Sandy on the Florida panhandle looks to be out of the worst of it but until this Hurricane season is over, I will be resisting the urge to pack her up and move her to Arizona.

I'll be continuing my driving until I'm home and hibernating for a few day in my own safe home and bed. Join me in prayers for the safety of those going through this disaster.